Heat exchanger



1967 E. F. HOLYF I ELD 3,360,

HEAT EXCHANGE 2R5 Filed Aug. 20, 1965 INVENTOR. v PAPA HOLY/F7940 BY 9 fATTOFA/E-YS United States Patent O 3,360,036 HEAT EXCHANGER Earl F. Holyfield, 600 NE. 19th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73105 Filed Aug. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 481,185 4 Claims. (Cl. 165-142) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heat exchanger adapted for use in a combination heating and refrigeration system for transferring heat to or from a secondary refrigerant, which includes a plurality of heat exchange tubes closed at one end and opened at the other end, and a restrictor tube extending into each heat exchange tube and communicating with the closed end of the respective heat exchange tube to receive the primary refrigerant first directed into the respective heat exchange tube, wherein the closed ends of the heat exchange tubes are lower than the open ends thereof and liquid primary refrigerant accumulates in the closed ends of the heat exchange tubes when the exchanger is used in a heating system, such that the rate of flow of primary refrigerant through the heat exchanger is automatically controlled for both refrigeration and heating system operations, and the same amount of primary refrigerant may be used when the system is used for either heating or refrigeration.

This invention relates generally to improved heat exchangers. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an improved heat exchanger for use in air conditioning systems wherein the exchanger is utilized to transfer heat to or from a primary refrigerant to a secondary refrigerant.

The most common form of heat exchanger previously constructed for use with secondary refrigerant type air conditioning systems includes a hollow body member having a pair of plates or bulkheads disposed transversely relative to the elongation of the body thereby forming a header or chamber in each end of the hollow body. A plurality of open-ended tubular members are disposed in the hollow body having each open end in communication with a respective one of the headers in the heat exchanger and having each end connected with one of the bulkheads.

The result of such a construction is that freezing of the secondary refrigerant, which is circulated through the hollow body between the bulkheads, subjects the heat exchanger to extremely large forces due to the expansion of the secondary refrigerant during freezing. The forces generated are frequently sufficient to either rupture the hollow body or separate the bulkheads from the hollow body whereby communication between the secondary and primary refrigerants occurs. In either instance, the heat exchanger must be replaced before the refrigera tion system can be returned to service. Heat exchangers of this type are generally referred to in the air conditioning industry as either chillers or coolers.

The previously constructed heat exchangers have functioned in a satisfactory manner to transfer of heat from the secondary refrigerant to the primary refrigerant when the result sought is to cool the secondary refrigerant. They have not proved entirely satisfactory when the process is to be reversed.

When used in the cooling process, heat exchangers of theforegoing described type are not as efiicient as is desired since there is no sub-cooling. The sub-cooling or precooling is a process wherein the primary refrigerant is cooled prior to its expansion in the tubular members extending through the heat exchanger.

This invention generally contemplates an improved heat exchanger including: a hollow body having first, second and third chambers formed therein, and having inlet and outlet openings in the body in communication with the third chamber; a plurality of elongated tubes, each having an open end in communication with the second chamber and a closed end located in the third chamber; a plurality of open-ended tubular members, each of the members be ing disposed in a respective one of the tubes and having one open end in communication with the first chamber; a first conduit connected in fluid communication with the first chamber; and, a second conduit connected in fluid communication with the second chamber.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved heat exchanger.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved heat exchanger for use in air conditioning systems incorporating secondary refrigerants wherein the heat exchanger will not be damaged should the secondary refrigerant freeze.

One other object of the invention is to provide an improved heat exchanger that can be used for either heating system.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved heat exchanger requiring no maintenance during its service life.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved heat exchanger that can be easily and economically constructed.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in all views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation of a heat exchanger, constructed in accordance with the invention, located in an air conditioning system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken substantially along the lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the heat exchanger of FIG. 2 and taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of heat exchanger also con structed in accordance with the invention.

Embodiment of FIG. 1

One end of the air conditioning coil 14 is connected with the heat exchanger 12 by an outlet conduit 18. The opposite end of the air conditioning coil 14 is connected with the heat exchanger 12 by an inlet conduit 20.

An air trap and bleed 22 is operably disposed in the inlet conduit 20. The air trap 22 is of a conventional construction and is commercially available from many manufacturers. The purpose of the air trap 22 is to remove air that might be entrained in the secondary refrigerant (not shown) that fills a portion of the heat ex changer 12 and the air conditioning coil 14.

A refrigerant pump 24 is operably connected in the inlet conduit 20 between the air trap 22 and the heat exchanger 12. The purpose of the refrigerant pump 24 is to circulate the secondary refrigerant through the heat exchanger 12 and through the air conditioning coil 14.

The air conditioning coil 14 is disposed in a casing or duct 26 (illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 1). Some means such as the motor driven fan 28 is provided to force air through the duct 26 and across the air conditioning coil 14.

The condensing coil .16 is cooled by a motor driven fan 30 and has one end connected by a conduit 32 with the heat exchanger 12 as will be described more fully in connection with FIG. 2. The other end of the condensing coil 16 is connected by a conduit 34 with a compressor or refrigerant pump 36. The refrigerant pump 36- is connected by a conduit 38 with the heat exchanger 12 as will also be described more fully in connection with FIG. 2. The condensing coil 16 and the conduits associated therewith are filled with a primary refrigerant (not shown), such as Freon or ammonia.

A valve 40 is operably disposed in the conduit 34 between the condensing coil 16- and the pump 36. A valve 42 is connected in the conduit 38 between the pump 36 and the heat exchanger 12. A branch conduit 44 has one end connected with the conduit 38 between the valve 42 and the pump 36 and the other end connected with the conduit 34 between the valve 40 and the condensing coil 16. A valve 46 is disposed in the branch conduit 44. The purpose of the branch conduit 44 and the valve 46 will be explained more fully hereinafter.

A branch conduit 48 has one end connected with the conduit 34 between the compressor 36 and the valve 40 and the other end connected with the conduit 38 between the valve 42 and the heat exchanger 12. A valve 50 is operably connected in the branch conduit 48 for purposes that will become more apparent hereinafter.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the structure of the heat exchanger 12 in detail. As shown therein, the heat exchanger 12 includes a hollow body portion 52 having closed ends 54 and 56.

A perforated plate 58 extend-s transversely across the hollow body 52 (see also FIG. 3). The perforated plate 58 has its, peripheral portion connected in a fluid-tight arrangement with the hollow body 52 to form a chamber 60 with the closed end 54 of the heat exchanger 12.

A second perofrated. plate 62 also extends transversely across the hollow body 52 (see FIG. 4) in generally parallel spaced relation with the plate 58. The plate 62 has its peripheral portion connected in a fluid-tight ar rangement with the hollow body 52 forming a chamber 64 with the plate 58 and the walls of the hollow body 52. A chamber 66 is formed within the hollow body 52 between the plate 62 and the closed end 56 of the hollow body 52.

As may be seen clearly in FIG. 2, the outlet conduit 18 is in communication with the chamber 66 through an opening 68 formed in the wall of the hollow body 52. Similarly, the inlet conduit 20 is in communication with the chamber 66 through an opening 70 formed in the wall of the hollow body 52.

A plurality of elongated tubes 72 are disposed in the hollow body 52. The tubes 72 have an open end 74 extending through the apertures in the perforated plate 62 and connected therewith in fluid-tight relationship. The tubes 72 have a closed end 76 disposed relatively adjacent the closed end 56 of the hollow body 52. As may beclearly seen in FIG. 2, the elongated tubes 72 have the open end 74 disposed in fluid communication with the chamber 64. The major portions of the tubes 72 are disposed in the chamber 66 in the hollow body 52 so that they are in contact with the secondary refrigerant filling the, chamber 66.

A plurality of elongated restrictor tubes 7 8 are also disposed in the hollow body 52. The restrictor tubes 78 each have an open end 80 extending through the perforations in the plate 58 and connected with the plate 58 in fluid- 4 tight relationship. An open end 82 of the restrictor tubes 78 is disposed in the tubes 72 relatively near the closed end 76 thereof. The resistor tubes 78 extend through the chamber 64 and have the open end 80 thereon in fluid communication with the chamber 60.

While the various figures of the drawing illustrate the installation of a relatively small number of tubes 72 and restrictor tubes 78 in the heat exchanger 12, it should be understood that many times the number shown may be installed in the actual construction of the heat exchanger 12. Also, it can be perceived from viewing FIG. 2 that the open ends 80 of the restrictor tubes 78 are in communication with the conduit 32 through the chamber and that the tubes 72 are in communication with the conduit 38 through the chamber 64.

Baflle plates 84, 86 and 88 extend generally transversely across the hollow body 52 in spaced parallel relation with the closed end 56 thereof and between the conduits 18 and 20. The baffie plates are provided with a plurality of ports for receiving the conduit 38 and the tubes 72. It should be pointed out that the baflie plates 84, 86 and 88 are not connected to the tubes 72 and do not extend entirely across the hollow body 52. The purpose of the bafile plates 84, 86 and 88 is to force the secondary refrigerant entering the heat exchanger 12 through the conduit 20 and the opening 79 to follow a circuitous path through the hollow body 52 to the opening 68 and outlet conduit 18. Thus, the secondary refrigerant is forced into contact with the surface area of the greatest number of tubes 72 as it flows through the heat exchanger 12.

Operation To utilize the air conditioning system 10 for the purpose of cooling, the valves 46 and 50 are closed and the valves 40 and 42 are opened. With the pump 36 running, the primary refrigerant is circulated through the conduit 34 into the condenser coil 16, through the conduit 32 and into the chamber 60 of the heat exchanger 12. The primary refrigerant, as it enters the chamber 60, is in a liquid state. The primary refrigerant flows from the chamber 60 into the open ends 80 of the restrictor tubes 78.

As the refrigerant flows through the restrictor tubes 78, it is metered to provide the maximum efficiency of expansion of the liquid refrigerant as it passes from the open ends 82 of the restrictor tubes 78. Upon entering the tubes 72, the refrigerant changes into a gaseous state and, due to its expansion, becomes extremely cool. The cooling of the refrigerant in the tubes absorbs heat from the secondary refrigerant in the chamber 66, thereby cooling the secondary refrigerant.

Simultaneously with the operation of the pump 36, the pump 24 is placed in operation moving the secondary refrigerant through the inlet conduit 20, the opening in the hollow body 52 and through the chamber 66 as previously described. As the secondary refrigerant flows through the chamber 66, it loses its heat to the cooled tubes 72. Therefore, the secondary refrigerant flowing from the chamber 66 through the opening 68 in the outlet conduit 18 to the cooling coil 14 is in a chilled condition. Air, driven by the fan 28 over the air conditioning coild14, is cooled to promote the cooling of the area desire As the primary refrigerant flows through the tubes 72, it passes through the open ends 74 of the tubes 72 into the chamber 64. From the chamber 64, the gaseous primary refrigerant passes through the conduit 38 returning to the pump 36.

As can be perceived in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 12 has an increased cooling efficiency due to the disposition of the restrictor tubes 78- in the tubes 72. It can be appreciated therein that as the liquid primary refrigerant moves through the restrictor tubes 78 it is precooled" or subcooled due to the expansion of the primary refrigerant as it flows in a counter-flow direction through the tubes 72 toward the open ends 74 thereof.

When the air conditioning system is to be used as a heat pump, that is, when it is to be used to heat an area adjacent the air conditioning coil 14, the valves 40 and 42 are closed and the valves 46 and 50 are opened. With this arrangement of valves, the compressor 36 moves the primary refrigerant through the branch conduit 48, the valve 50 and into the conduit 38. The primary refrigerant flows through the conduit 38 into the chamber 64 and then through the open ends 74 of the tubes 72. As the primary refrigerant flows through the tubes 72, it is condensed due to the relatively cool secondary refrigerant in the chamber 66. The condensed primary refrigerant then passes through the open end 82 of the restrictor tubes 78, flowing therethrough into the chamber 60. From the chamber 60, the primary refrigerant flows outwardly through the conduit 32 into the condenser coil 16. From the condenser coil 16, the refrigerant flows through the conduit 34, branch conduit 44 and open valve 46 to the inlet side of the pump 36.

When using the heat exchanger 12 in a heat pump system, the closed end 56 thereof should be lowered slightly as shown in FIG. 1. The lowering of the closed end 56 assures that the open ends 82 of the restrictor tubes 78 will be immersed in the condensed primary refrigerant in the tubes 72 adjacent the closed ends 76 thereof. Thus, the primary refrigerant when moved through the restrictor tubes 78 will be in a liquid state.

As the primary refrigerant flows through the tubes 72, the secondary refrigerant in the chamber 66 absorbs heat from the primary refrigerant so that the secondary refrigerant flowing though the outlet conduit 18 to the air conditioning coil 14 is at an elevated temperature as compared to the temperature of the secondary refrigerant fiowing through the inlet conduit 20 into the exchanger 12.

Embodiment of FIG. 5

The fragmentary cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 illustrates a variation in the structure of the heat exchanger 12. The modified form of heat exchanger 12 includes a plurality of restrictor tubes designated by the reference character 78a.

The remainder of the heat exchanger 12 is constructed as previously described in connection with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and includes the tubes 72 disposed in the hollow body 52. As shown in FIG. 5, the restrictor tubes 78a include a helically wound portion 90 that extends for substantially the full length of the tubes 72. Although not shown, it will be understood that the ends of the helically wound portions 90 are disposed relatively near the closed ends 76 of the tubes 72.

The operation of the heat exchanger, with the modified restrictor tubes 78a therein, is as previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 2. However, the heat exchanger 12 may be constructed more compactly and, yet, have the same effective length of restrictor tube therein due to the helical winding of the restrictor tube 78a.

Frequently, heat exchangers utilized in air conditioning systems are subjected to freezing, particularly when used as a chiller. If the secondary refrigerant within the chamber 66 freezes, forces are exerted on the structure of the heat exchanger 12 due to the expansion of the freezing refrigerant. To alleviate the problem of damage to the exchanger 12 when and if such freezing occurs, the tubes 72 are suspended only at the open end 74 thereof. Also, the restrictor tubes 78 and 78a are suspended only at the open end 80 thereof. Thus, the tubes 72 and the restrictor tubes 78 and 78a are free to move under the forces imposed if the secondary refrigerant in the chamber 66 should freeze.

Also, the thermal expansion of the tubes 72 and 78 under the influence of changing temperatures in the heat exchanger 12 will not damage the heat exchanger 12 due to the single end suspension of the tubes 72 and the re- 6 strictor tubes 78 and 78a. In the usual form of constructing heat exchangers, each end of the tubes are rigidly supported whereby extreme thermal stresses are imposed thereon.

As described in the foregoing detailed description, the heat exchanger 12 is arranged so that it can be used without alteration either in an air conditioning system as a heat pump or as a refrigerating device. Also, and as previously mentioned, the heat exchanger 12 avoids the possibility of damage due to thermal stresses resulting from changes in temperature in the exchanger or from damage due to the freezing of the secondary refrigerant.

The embodiments described in detail hereinbefore are presented by way of example only and it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is: r

1. A heat exchanger comprising:

an elongated hollow body having first and second closed ends and having inlet and outlet openings therein; i

a perforated first plate member disposed in said body adjacent the first closed end thereof and having a periphery connected in fluid-tight relationship with said body to form a first chamber in said body;

a perforated second plate member disposed in said ody between said first plate member and second end and having a periphery connected in fluid-tight relationship with said body to form a second chamber with said first plate member and a third chamber with the second closed end of said body, said third chamber being in communication with said inlet and outlet openings;

a first conduit having an open end connected in one of the perforations in said first plate member with said open end in communication with said first chamber and extending through the second closed end of said body to transfer fiuid to and from said first chamber;

a second conduit encircling a portion of said first conduit and having an open end in communication with said second chamber and connected in one of the perforation-s in said second plate member, said second conduit also extending through the second closed end of said body to transfer fluid to and from said second chamber;

a plurality of tubes disposed in said body, each of said tubes having an open end connected in a respective one of the perforations in said second plate member and having a closed end thereon disposed in said third chamber adjacent the second closed end of said body;

a plurality of open-ended restrictor tubes disposed in said body, each of said restrictor tubes having one open end connected in the perforations in said first plate member in communication with said first chamber and having the other open end located in and adjacent the closed end of a respective one of said tubes; and,

a plurality of baffle members located in the third cham ber of said body between said inlet and outlet openings whereby fluid flowing therebetween follows a circuitous path through said third chamber.

2. A heat exchanger for use in a combination heating and cooling system which includes a compressor circulating a primary refrigerant, and an air conditioning coil through which is circulated a secondary refrigerant, comprising:

a hollow, elongated body supported with one end slightly lower than the other end thereof having a first chamber in the higher end thereof, a third chamber in the lower end thereof, and a second chamber between the first and third chambers, said body further having inlet and outlet connections communi- 7 eating. with the third chamber and adapted for connection with the air conditioning coil;

a first conduit having one end in communication with said second chamber and having the other end adapted to be connected to the refrigerant compressor;

a second conduit having one end in communication with said first chamber and having the other end adapted to be connected with the refrigerant compressor;

a plurality of first tubes supported in said body, each of said tubes having an open end in communication with said second chamber and having a lower, closed end located in said third chamber;

- a plurality of open-ended restrictor tubes supported in said body, each of said restrictor tubes having one open end in communication with said first chamber and h-aving' the other open end disposed in a respective one of said first tubes adjacent the closed end thereof, whereby primary refrigerant from the compressor either cools or heats the secondary refrigeant flowing though said third chamber to the air conditioning coil depending on whether the primary refrigerant is flowing from said compressor into said first conduit or into said second conduit.

portion of each of said restrictor tubes disposed in a first 10 tube is helicaily wound.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,785 8/1931 Muhleisen 165163 X 2,117,337 5/1938 'Lobl et a1 165142 X 2,134,058 10/1938 Ris '165-142 2,372,079 3/1945 Gunter 165141 2,759,248 8/1956 Burgess 165150 X 2,995,343 8/ 1961 Gardner et al 165-142 X 3,118,495 1/1964 Hagby 165142 X ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

T. W. STREULE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HEAT EXCHANGER COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED HOLLOW BODY HAVING FIRST AND SECOND CLOSED ENDS AND HAVING INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS THEREIN; A PERFORATED FIRST PLATE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID BODY ADJACENT THE FIRST CLOSED END THEREOF AND HAVING A PERIPHERY CONNECTED IN FLUID-TIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID BODY TO FORM A FIRST CHAMBER IN SAID BODY; A PERFORATED SECOND PLATE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID BODY BETWEEN SAID FIRST PLATE MEMBER AND SECOND END AND HAVING A PERIPHERY CONNECTED IN FLUID-TIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID BODY TO FORM A SECOND CHAMBER WITH SAID FIRST PLATE MEMBER AND A THIRD CHAMBER WITH THE SECOND CLOSED END OF SAID BODY, SAID THIRD CHAMBER BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS; A FIRST CONDUIT HAVING AN OPEN END CONNECTED IN ONE OF THE PERFORATIONS IN SAID FIRST PLATE MEMBER WITH SAID OPEN END IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FIRST CHAMBER AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE SECOND CLOSED END OF SAID BODY TO TRANSFER FLUID TO AND FROM SAID FIRST CHAMBER; A SECOND CONDUIT ENCIRCLING A PORTION OF SAID FIRST CONDUIT AND HAVING AN OPEN END IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SECOND CHAMBER AND CONNECTED IN ONE OF THE PERFORATIONS IN SAID SECOND PLATE MEMBER, SAID SECOND CONDUIT ALSO EXTENDING THROUGH THE SECOND CLOSED END OF SAID BODY TO TRANSFER FLUID TO AND FROM SAID SECOND CHAMBER; A PLURALITY OF TUBES DISPOSED IN SAID BODY, EACH OF SAID TUBES HAVING AN OPEN END CONNECTED IN A RESPECTIVE ONE OF THE PERFORATIONS IN SAID SECOND PLATE MEMBER AND HAVING A CLOSED END THEREON DISPOSED IN SAID THIRD CHAMBER ADJACENT THE SECOND CLOSED END OF SAID BODY; A PLURALITY OF OPEN-ENDED RESTRICTOR TUBES DISPOSED IN SAID BODY, EACH OF SAID RESTRICTOR TUBES HAVING ONE OPEN END CONNECTED IN THE PERFORATIONS IN SAID FIRST PLATE MEMBER IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FIRST CHAMBER AND HAVING THE OTHER OPEN END LOCATED IN AND ADJACENT THE CLOSED END OF A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID TUBES; AND, A PLURALITY OF BAFFLE MEMBERS LOCATED IN THE THIRD CHAMBER OF SAID BODY BETWEEN SAID INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS WHEREBY FLUID FLOWING THEREBETWEEN FOLLOWS A CIRCUITOUS PATH THROUGH SAID THIRD CHAMBER. 